From USA Today bestselling author Stacey Kennedy comes a steamy contemporary romance featuring a brooding hero with too much baggage, a spirited heroine who is always up for adventure, and a sexy-as-hell road trip that will change their lives forever.Maisie Carter has always been a free spirit. An artist by nature, she has no idea what she’s doing as co-owner of Three Chicks Brewery. But she’s … Brewery. But she’s determined to prove to her older sisters that she can be an asset to their grandfather’s beer legacy. The best way to do that? Make the rounds at Colorado’s craft brewery festivals and turn Foxy Diva, their top beer, into an award winner. Unfortunately, after more than one “beer mishap,” it becomes clear that she’s going to need some help.
Hayes Taylor knows he has a chip on his shoulder, but he has no interest in working through his traumatic past. He just wants to work on his horse farm, alone. The last thing he needs in his life is a woman, especially his dead wife’s best friend, the sweet-as-pie Maisie Carter. But she’s always brought out his protective instincts, and he can hardly say ‘no’ when she asks for his help…
As the two embark on the festival tour, beer filled days turn into lust filled nights, and neither Maisie nor Hayes can deny their growing attraction. But Hayes knows love leads to heartbreak…. Can Maisie show him that their love is worth the risk?
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I couldn’t put this book down. It gave me everything I look for; heart, heat, and humor. This book had me laughing and smiling with happiness, but man did it also have the tears flowing. The beginning just broke my heart, but the rest of the book slowly put it back together. I loved Hayes and Maisie. They have both struggled through the darkness of life to see them find some beautiful light. This book kicks off a new series with a bang. I’m already looking forward to the next book especially with the little tease at the end of this book. I would highly would recommend this book!
Just finished Book 1 of 3 in the Three Chicks Brewery series. By Stacey Kennedy. Book 2 will be released in November. I enjoyed this one it was a nice sweet story for those who do not like dark and angsty. The series begins where we meet the sisters: Maisie, Clara and Amelia. They inherited money from their Pops and used the money to open Three Chicks Brewery. Book 1 is Maisie’s Story, Book 2 will be Clara and Book 3 will be Amelia. It has a nice twist on the regular stories out there which is a great thing as I read about 1000 stories a year. This is a new author that I discovered recently.
Sassy Blonde by Stacey Kennedy
Three Chicks Brewery #1
Three sisters inherit from their grandfather
A Brewery is the dream of two of them
The third goes along leaving her dream behind
All three will have stories in this series
Maisie, the artist who left her dream behind
Finds her purpose in work and life…
…and finds love
What I liked:
* Maisie: loving, kind, artistic, great friend, giving, caring, and a true friend in good times and bad. She so deserved her HEA
* Hayes: in the past a husband, friend, policeman and happy. He lost almost everything and found his way back with the help of Maisie, his family, and friends. He deserved his HEA.
* Clara & Amelia: Maisie’s sisters who will have their stories told in future books
* That this story is set near the Kinky Spurs bar that featured in a previous series by this author
* The way the topic of death and loss of a loved one was handled in this story
* The way friendship grew to more between Maisie and Hayes
* The indication of what might happen in the future for Maisie’s sisters
* The plot, pace, and writing
* The hint of the paranormal
* That both lead characters fond a way forward through dark times and become stronger as a result of it.
* Everything except…
What I didn’t like:
* Being reminded that good people die suddenly and when they do those left behind suffer
* Being reminded that bad things happen to good people
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I like to read more in this series? Definitely
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
Welcome back to River Rock, Colorado, where sexy Cowboys are in abundance, and sassy, no nonsense women, quickly learn how to wrangle their hearts. Sassy Blonde is the first book in this brand-new series featuring Maisie Carter and Hayes Taylor, who make quite the unexpected couple.
Readers familiar with this quaint and quirky little town and the Kinky Spurs saloon, are in for a treat as we are introduced to the three Carter sisters; serious Clara, thoughtful Amelia, and the sweet and sunny, Maisie. Tasked with bringing to life their beloved Pop’s dream of a flourishing brewery, the Carter girls will plan, work hard and in Maisie’s case, muddle their way through the intricacies of building the Three Chicks Brewery and not killing each other along the way.
Stacey Kennedy has a knack for bringing her characters to life and regaling her readers with such wonderfully engaging stories that they remain in your heart long after the last page is turned. This was definitely the case with Maisie’s story. Facing a heartbreaking loss, stepping up to her sister’s expectations, believing everything she touches is doomed to failure and denying her dreams to support her family; all this and so much more made this vibrant and caring young woman stand out as the type of unique and extraordinary person everyone should have in their life.
An amazing cast of new and past characters compliment this heartfelt story with its realistic plot, strong familial bond and deeply emotional focus. So, while Sassy Blonde may start with tragedy and heartache, there is laughter as well as tears, and fun along with drama as a love that was once subdued between these three vastly different, but equally determined sisters, blossoms and grows into an unbreakable bond that will last a lifetime. There is absolutely nothing not to love about this book; it was AMAZING!
I love these River Rock romances with swoon-worthy cowboys and the fabulous women that tame them. The start of a new series set in the small town, Colorado with three sisters and their new brewery is terrific. First up is youngest sister, Maisie. The artistic dreamer of the three that marches to the beat of a different drum than her older sisters. She has her life planned with her best friend until tragedy strikes and changes the course she’s set. After overcoming two losses and helping her best friend’s husband, Hayes, find his way out of grief, the two become close and set off on a path of recovery. Maisie is a fantastic heroine with all her sunshine and beautiful spirit. She sacrifices for her family in a big way. When she needs help she turns to Hayes and he’s everything you want in a western hero. A cowboy and a cop! He’s dreamy and always ready to help Maisie. Their relationship takes a sexy turn but something holds Hayes back. I loved the natural progression of friends to lovers between Maisie and Hayes. Sweet heat! The drama was a little overblown for me but added to the emotion of the romance. The sisters, Clara and Amelia, are wonderful characters along with Clara’s fatherless son, Mason. I look forward to their stories. A few old friends from previous River Rock stories make appearances which adds to the small town charm of this new series. An easy read that’s wonderfully written with amazing characters and an emotional, sexy love story makes this worth the read. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC.
Stacey Kennedy has brought us back to River Rock, Colorado once again, fans of the KINKY SPURS SERIES are going to enjoy seeing some of their old friends pop up in this new trilogy. This was a nice way to start the series, SASSY BLONDE gave us a sweet yet sexy story of two friends who after grieving together find love in one another.
Hayes Taylor lost his wife in a brutal way and Maisie has helped him through his grief but being her best friend she had a lot of her own to work through as well. It was doubly hard for Maisie because her grandfather had passed shortly before and she was already grieving for him.
Maisie and her two sisters inherited their grandfathers dream of opening a brewery and while two of the sisters were all for it Maisie wasn’t thrilled with the idea, but she would do her best to help out because she owed it to them to make it a success.
Maisie is quirky and clumsy and just adorable, I fell in love with her instantly. Hayes took a bit to grow on me, he was rough around the edges and didn’t come off as all that sweet at first.
Maisie is tasked with going on a Road Trip to different festivals to get their beer out there in hopes of expanding their brewery’s reach and she enlists the help of Hayes. This road trip as you would expect makes them face their attraction towards one another and that’s when things heat up.
I really enjoyed this read and I cannot wait for FEISTY RED to come out later this year. If you enjoy Brooding Cowboys, Sassy Blondes, Sweet and Spicy Contemporary Romances then I recommend grabbing this book.
Happy Reading!!!
Sassy Blonde by Stacey Kennedy is an emotional, friends-to-lovers romance. The two main characters have known each other a long time, and a horrific tragedy is what eventually brings them together romantically. This is the first book from the author’s Three Chicks Brewery trilogy, and it read as a standalone.
Maisie Carter and her two sisters inherited their grandfather’s craft brewery. In order to be successful, they need to get the brewery recognized by distribution channels outside of their local area. For their brew to reach the Colorado masses, Maisie is tasked with the tastings at the three upcoming craft brewery festivals. After breaking her finger, she asks her longtime friend Hayes Taylor to accompany her to the festivals, and help with the set-ups and tear-downs. Hayes job as a horse whisperer has him on rest and relaxation for ten days, so he is able to lend his muscle to help. It’s been two years since the death of Hayes’s beloved wife, who was also Maisie’s best friend.
Maisie’s true calling is anything artistic and creative, so her heart is just not in the brewery business. As a result, anything brewery related usually evolves into a hot mess. Her devotion to the business is due to her sisters’ love for the business, and she does not want to let them down. Hayes used to be a police officer, but moved on from the force after his wife passed. Over the past several months, their platonic feelings have evolved into much more.
I enjoyed this novel, but it was repetitive at times. After reading the book blurb, I am looking forward to Feisty Red, the second book in the trilogy. It is about Clara Carter, Maisie’s oldest sister.
Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
Sassy Blonde was a fantastic start to the Three Chicks Brewery series! This was a fun, sassy read with some drama and the right amount of heat! Maisie & Hayes are perfect together! Loved the other characters! Looking forward to book2 Feisty Red Clara’s story! …more
Oooohhh….what a great start to this sibling trilogy by romance author Stacey Kennedy!
Maisie is one of three siblings who inherited their grandfather’s start-up brewery. She has a series of mishaps and struggles…mentally and physically.
Hayes was a police office, but is now a widower, and hiding from everything and everyone. The only person, who is able to get to him in the slightest, is his deceased wife’s best friend…Maisie. But even she is being kept at arm’s length.
I love the somewhat slow burn in this romance. I love the premise that has been set up for this trilogy. And I love the author’s writing! There were a couple of times that I wanted to shake Maisie and tell her to have more confidence and self-respect, though!
“The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.”
I really enjoyed SASSY BLONDE: Three Chicks Brewery Book #1, and am completely looking forward to returning to River Rock, Colorado for the next book featuring single-mom sister, Clara! 4.75 stars from me!
Maisie and Hayes went through so much grief together. I can’t even imagine being in their shoes. What was great about their relationship was how they were there for each other.
It was painful having to watch Hayes struggling with guilt. He was a good guy just wanting to make her happy.
Maisie was quirky to say the least. She had an aura about her that draw people in. I loved how their relationship managed to heal them both and made them stronger at the end.
I have a feeling Three chicks brewery will be one fun read after another and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
Maisie Carter has always been a free spirit. An artist by nature, she has no idea what she’s doing as co-owner of Three Chicks Brewery. But she’s determined to prove to her older sisters that she can be an asset to their grandfather’s beer legacy. The best way to do that? Make the rounds at Colorado’s craft brewery festivals and turn Foxy Diva, their top beer, into an award winner. Unfortunately, after more than one “beer mishap,” it becomes clear that she’s going to need some help. Hayes Taylor knows he has a chip on his shoulder. He just wants to work on his horse farm, alone. Maisie is injured whilst trying to move a keg of beer & Hayes is thrown from a horse & aid off for a week so the pair embark on the festival tour, beer filled days turn into lust filled nights, and neither Maisie nor Hayes can deny their growing attraction.
This is the start of a new series but it takes place in River Rock so we get to catch up with characters from the Kinky Spurs series. Oh my what a roller coaster of emotions, the prologue had me in tears & I was completely hooked, I loved all three Carter sisters & soo look forward to the rest of the series. Maisie is so selfless, a total optimist & thoroughly deserved her HEA. Hayes battled back after losing his wife Laurel, aided of course by Maisie. I loved how their relationship developed but of course their journey wasn’t smooth & a huge secret kept by Hayes could jeopardise everything. I loved every page of this engrossing romance
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
A cute read in the world of Kinky Spurs. Even though there is sadness from a death (it is early on and not a spoiler) you get some of the feelings especially from Hayes. He is devastated and cannot let go of his guilt. Maisie tries but has a hard time. I am not sure if I loved Maisie or not. She is kind of flighty which I normally like but in this she kind of came off as immature. Overall I think if you like a story of friends who find solace in each other’s arms you will enjoy this story. It is a nice read. I am really looking forward to the two sisters stories which I am thinking will be more angsty.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
3.5/5
nSassy Blonde is the first book in an all new western romance series by Stacey Kennedy. The romance between a free spirit and a widow who hasn’t fully moved on.
Maisie , the youngest of the sisters behind Three Chicks Brewery, is an artist at heart but loyal and there for her sisters when she needs them. She’s a bit of a klutz but is quick with a smile and has fallen in love with her best friends widow, Hayes. After her best friend past they become close friends themselves and now stronger feelings have emerged. Maisie is ready to embrace those feelings knowing her friend would have wanted them to be happy but Hayes has to fully let go off his feelings of guilt before that can happen.
All the Stacey Kennedy romances I have read were highly enjoyable and this one is no different. She created a great cast of lovable characters with an entertaining story to go along with them. This one tugs on the heart strings a little which is to be expected when two people are mourning the loss of someone they both loved. I think my biggest frustration was Hayes’ dishonesty and the fact that Maisie put some much more effort into the two of them working but thankfully he realized the error of his ways by the end.
Sassy Blonde by Stacey Kennedy was a fun and sweet cowboy romance and a great start to a new series, I can’t wait for her sister Clara’s book!
Just right! A little bit of a tear jerker, lots of delightful characters, and a sweet HEA! A perfect escape read. Along with a perfect tease for the next one! Definitely worth adding to your summer reading list!
This is the first book of three in the Three Chicks Brewery series that can be read as a standalone, but I believe all three will have interwoven plots. This is Maisie & Hayes’s story and it begins with a heartbreaking beginning. Maisie is a free spirit whose had her share of bad luck, but Hayes has had his share too. This is their heartwarming journey and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The secondary characters added to the overall depth of the storyline and makes me anxious to read the next two books in this series. I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC for NetGalley.
Stacey Kennedy has brought us the first book in the Three Chicks Brewery series.
Maisie and Hayes, have both lost people that they loved. Maisie, her best friend, and Hayes lost his wife. Hayes, who was a beat cop at the time, blames himself for his wife’s death. Hayes and Maisie have been through so much together, both while he was married and after his wife’s death. Maisie was his strength during the storm and if not for her he doesn’t know where he would be.
What happens when Maisie fails to accomplish some tasks for the Brewery and needs Hayes help to try to right her wrongs?
This is a wonderful beginning to a new series from Stacey Kennedy. Grab it on release day and enjoy the ride.
The livelihood of their grandfather’s beer legacy is riding on the shoulders of Maisie Carter and her two sisters, they are hoping their company Three Chicks Brewery will help keep his dream alive. But first they need to make a name for themselves in the market, and drum up some interest, and they have the perfect new beer to do that. Which is where Maisie comes in, she is supposed to attend some of Colorado’s craft brewery festivals and show off their new beer… but after a little mishap she realizes she wasn’t quite as prepared for this new task as she thought, she needs help and has the perfect man in mind for the job.
Question is will he be up for the task…. and everything that comes along with it?
Sassy Blonde is a introduction to the Carter sisters and this time the spotlight is being shown on it’s youngest member Maisie, and the broody hunk that sneaks into her heart. When Maisie asked her friend Hayes to help her out with their company’s newest beer and go to some festivals with her Hayes had his reservations about getting involved. But he also knew if he had asked Maisie for a favor she would be willing to help no matter the task, so he agrees to help, and it spawns something neither of them saw coming… sizzling five alarm sparks! These two are both in the healing stages after losing someone dear to both of them, and it bonds them, but also helps them to see that maybe it’s time for them to move on from the hurt. Falling for your best friend’s husband isn’t an ideal situation but it’s what happened to Maisie and once she has seen Hayes in that light she can’t help but want to hold onto it. Watching these two grapple with their doubts, new feelings, and unexpected sparks was not only entertaining, but good for the heart. I enjoyed this newest offering from Ms. Kennedy, it had humor, steam, drama, and heart… the perfect blend for an toe curling, heart-squeezing literary escape! Highly recommend!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
What a great start to a new series!
I really enjoyed and respected the character of Maisie. She is a fun, upbeat person who wants to do right by her family even pushing aside her hopes and dreams. She is the accident prone, creative dreamer in the family and has always felt like she doesn’t fit.
Hayes is the man Maisie’s best friend was married to until she was killed. He know has a strong advocate in Maisie to help me get back to his new norm. The years following have made these two grow closer than they ever thought.
I loved the pacing of this story. You got the friendly vide early on from these two and also found out about their issues. You got to see them struggling with their attractions and understood their reasoning for staying away. I loved that you got to see the full circle of these two and see them get their HEA.
My heart broke for Hayes so many times in this book. He is an amazing man and just seems to have things no go his way. I’m glad that with Maisie’s help, he will find his way.
We all need to be a bit more like Maisie, living in the moment, finding the joy and beauty in everything. Of course, she is far from perfect, and pain has molded her present life, but she doesn’t let it stop her from going forward. Maisie needs a few nudges, but her instincts already told her what the guidance she needed was. Hayes is her opposite, yet her salvation and downfall. He lives with his pain, embraces it, and wears it constantly. He will deny himself and Maisie everything except a moment because of it. When dealing with the past, it is tricky and straightforward. The path seems simple, but the detours that lead them to the past cannot be skipped. With the help of their friends and family, they find their way, and get their much deserved HEA!
Maisie and Hayes made me cry and laugh. I cheered and sobbed for them, and I felt overjoyed that they worked everything out. They were perfect together, complimenting the other, and maintaining their sense of self, and blending their strengths seamlessly, to make the other even stronger and better, by being together
Sassy Blonde is the first book in a new trilogy by Stacey Kennedy. We have returned to River Rock, Colorado where this trio of sisters has set out to follow through on the wishes of their recently deceased grandfather by getting their brewery, Three Chicks Brewery, off the ground.
Maisie Carter is the youngest of the sisters and the least interested in the brewery. Her true love is art, but because this was something her grandfather wanted so badly, she wants to follow through and help her sisters. She suffered the loss of her best friend, Laurel, a couple of years before and it took her a long time to get her feet back under her, but she did so with the help of her sisters; another reason she doesn’t want to let them, and the brewery, down.
Hayes Taylor has moved back to River Rock following the murder of his wife Laurel. He and Laurel had moved to Denver so he could join the police department there and not work under his father, who is the chief in River Rock. After his wife’s death, he decided he no longer could be in Denver nor be a cop. He’s now working horses at the farm where he worked as a teenager and continuing to try to heal, but he’s still haunted by Laurel’s murder.
Maisie played a huge role in getting Hayes to focus on living and not on his loss. They’ve always been friends due to their respective relationships with Laurel, but things are beginning to change for both of them. As they end up spending more time together they see one another in a different light. Can they make things work between them or will the past derail what they could have before it even starts?
This was a great start to this new trilogy! I loved that we were back in a familiar place (for people who have read Kennedy’s Kinky Spurs series) with some familiar faces. Both Maisie and Hayes were strong even though they were both a bit wounded. They were the perfect complement for one another and I liked how Kennedy worked through the things that could have caused issues for the couple.
I’m really looking forward to the other books in this series. She certainly set up the next book very well and to say I want to see what happens is an understatement!
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**